CEO Blog

The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has designated GSA as a Healthy People 2030 Champion. This means that GSA has demonstrated a commitment to helping achieve the Healthy People 2030 vision of a society in which all people can achieve their full potential for health and well-being across the lifespan.

Read more: GSA Earns Healthy People 2030 Champion Status

Resulting from the first call for papers of its kind, The Gerontologist has published a new special issue, “Social Determinants of Health in the Context of Race and Age,” which offered those with an interest in intersectional scholarship an opportunity to apply non-traditional theories, methods, and analysis to the study of gerontology.

Read more: The Gerontologist Looks at Social Determinants of Health Through Racial Lens

The eleventh edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), developed by the World Health Organization, was rolled out at the beginning of this year. Among its new revisions were some items that caught the attention of the gerontological community: “old age” being classified under general symptoms and an extension code for “aging-related.”

Read more: Join Us as GSA Experts Discuss ICD-11’s New Aging Classifications

According to the most recent issue of Public Policy & Aging Report (PP&AR), titled “A World with Alzheimer’s Disease,” there is a large and growing gap between what can be done to help persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) and their caregivers and what is actually being done, and this gap only widens with the lack of public education, provider training, and implementation of proven care approaches.

Read more: Latest PP&AR Looks at ADRD-Related Quality of Life

Since its inception in February 2021, the UNITE initiative at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has been working to identify and address structural racism within the NIH-supported and the greater scientific community, and to establish an equitable and civil culture within the biomedical research enterprise and reduce barriers to racial equity in the biomedical research workforce.

As part of this work, the initiative has been conducting a series of public online sessions to present the latest data and ideas on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the biomedical workforce and in research, and featuring leaders from the NIH community as well as other experts from the biomedical research community.

Read more: Diversity-Focused UNITE Initiative Welcomes Stakeholders to Online Events

As busy researchers, clinicians, and educators, the time you have available for other professional endeavors is limited. Yet so many GSA members make the time to be fully engaged with their Society, strengthening the field daily.

So during this Volunteer Appreciation Week, we’re celebrating YOU as GSA could not move forward without the volunteer commitments of its members. GSA President Peter Lichtenberg says it best in a new video he’s recorded especially for this occasion.

Read more: A Tribute to Those Who Volunteer Their Time to GSA

GSA’s Careers in Aging Week (CIAW) 2022 is taking place from April 17 to 23. The Society, along with partner organizations, needs your help to raise awareness about the wide-ranging career opportunities in the field of aging.

Check out GSA’s CIAW Week Toolkit for resources on how to get involved and spread the word. CIAW is observed every year by businesses, clinics, coalitions, organizations, universities, colleges, and other parties across the world.

Read more: Careers in Aging Week Starts April 17; Join Us in Raising Awareness!

Researchers have until April 15 to apply for the National Institute on Aging (NIA) Butler-Williams Scholars Program, and if you’re eligible, I encourage you to apply for this training program taking place virtually this summer! Or if you’re a mentor to someone who qualifies, please share this opportunity. As GSA has long provided a home for junior scholars through our Emerging Scholar and Professional Organization, we proudly welcome Butler-Williams participants into the fold.

Read more: NIA Summer Program Will Kickstart Your Aging Career

GSA’s vice president of policy and professional affairs, Patricia “Trish” D’Antonio, was part of a select panel of experts convened recently by Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra to discuss increasing routine vaccinations. Among her many responsibilities, Trish serves as co-chair of the Adult Vaccine Access Coalition (AVAC), which works to strengthen and enhance access to and increase utilization of vaccines among adults. Participation in coalitions like AVAC is one of many ways that GSA is able to amplify its advocacy efforts.

Read more: GSA Finds New Vaccine Champions at Top Federal Level

GSA invites you to join with us and many others nationwide as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program. It was on March 22, 1972, that President Richard Nixon signed into law the measure that amended the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include a national nutrition program for older adults aged 60 and above.

This legislation has helped to fund community-based programs — like Meals on Wheels — and has been responsible for the only federal program designed specifically to meet both the nutritional and social needs of older adults. Thank you to all of our members who have contributed to the success of this important work.

Read more: After 50 Years, Nutrition Program Continues Vital Mission